Shrien Dewani 'Fit to Stand Trial' Over Murder of Wife Anni in South Africa

Shrien Dewani is to stand trial over the murder of his wife in 2010Reuters

Shrien Dewani has been found fit to stand trial for the murder of his wife Anni, who was killed on the couple's honeymoon in South Africa in 2010.

The 34-year-old businessman from Bristol is accused of orchestrating the murder of the 28-year-old in a staged hijacking in Gugulethu township near Cape Town in 2010.

Dewani, who denies murder, was extradited from Britain in April following a lengthy legal battle. He has been undergoing psychiatric observation at Valkenberg Hospital in Cape Town and had fought for three years to avoid trial on the grounds that his mental health was too fragile to undergo a trial.

On Friday, a panel of psychiatric experts told the Western Cape High Court that he is able to stand trial, after being assessed for 30 days.

The unanimous report was made an order of the court by Judge John Hlophe and it is understood that the findings are not disputed by Dewani's lawyer, Francois van Zyl.

Dewani pictured with his wife Anni, who was murdered on their honeymoon

"We are in agreement. There is no objection," Van Zyl said, as reported by the South African Press Association.

Before his extradition, Mr Dewani was detained in a hospital in Britain for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Director of public prosecutions Rodney de Kock told the court: "The accused is not mentally ill. The accused is not certifiable in terms of the Mental Health Act."

The trial is set to begin 6 October, with a formal pre-trial hearing on 9 September.

The sister of Dewani's wife, Ami Denborg, told the BBC: "It's a relief for all of us. We've been waiting quite a long time for this.

"I know this autumn is going to be tough for us, but we still want the trial to start so that we can get the information we need, we can get to know what really happened.

"It feels like we're moving forward. It's still a long way to go but at least we're taking steps in the right direction, and this feels like a huge step in the right direction."

Three men are serving jail sentences in South Africa in connection with Mrs Dewani's death.

Xolile Mngeni, whom prosecutors claim was the hitman, was convicted of premeditated murder over the shooting. Another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, was given a 25-year prison sentence after pleading guilty.

Zola Tongo, a taxi driver, was given an 18-year sentence after admitting his role in the killing.